Camille Ortega ‘21
The Dunellen High School sports banquet is typically held in the month of June where athletes gather with teammates, family, coaches, and friends to celebrate their accomplishments. On this evening, the student-athletes receive varsity letters corresponding to the sport they have participated in for the school year. Many students look forward to the sports banquet being that it's a very rewarding night and it gives students a chance to come together with their senior teammates one last time.
At the sports banquet, coaches will usually give a speech and hand their team members their varsity letter individually. The student-athletes attire is usually a bit more dressy along with the parents who attend. Athletic director Dave Denapoli seems to find it quite pleasurable seeing all the different sports gathered together.
Denapoli said, “It gives us an opportunity to honor all our student-athletes for the great achievements they had all year win or lose, you know, sports gives kids an opportunity to grow and friendships and memories is really important.”
Those attending the sports banquet are provided with food where students and parents enjoy in the school's cafeteria. The food is generally eaten before the recognition of the students begins. During this time the student-athletes usually sit with teammates and get to start off the evening with their selection of food.
This day can be important to the freshman who are receiving a varsity letter for the very first time. This may give these students a feel for how much their hard work pays off and how close everyone within the community is with each other.
Sophomore Emily Bravo said, “I think it’s an amazing idea. The Destroyers are like one big family and we all support each other in our individual sports.”
Bravo discussed that because she loved her past season as a cheerleader she cannot wait to see everyone come together again. She believes that the sports banquet really gives off a sense of community and that the general atmosphere makes her happy.
Being that the sports banquet is only held once a year it gives parents a chance to join their kids one last time before the school year comes to an end. Parents enjoy taking pictures of their child throughout the evening and hearing all the different speeches from the coaches.
Along with the joy the sports banquet gives off on many it can also be an emotional time for those soaking in their last moments as a senior. These students may take a moment to reflect on all that they've shared and grown with not only the sport but with their fellow teammates.
Denapoli said, “Seeing everybody come together that last time, I try to do something at the end where it's almost like saying goodbye to the seniors. Its the last time you guys will all be together so its the combination of the banquet and its kind of bittersweet. I always use that thing they use in the Adams family happy sad because even in graduation you're happy for them but you're going to miss them.”